'It couldn't have started any better': Alan Shearer and Micah Richards hail England's great start to the World Cup as the Three Lions beat Iran 6-2, and praise Gareth Southgate's 'brilliant decisions'
- England got their World Cup off to the perfect start by beating Iran 6-2
- Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling all scored in the first half
- Micah Richards said England had been 'brilliant' in their tournament opener
- Follow Sportsmail's live blog for all the latest news and updates from Qatar
- Follow Sportsmail's live coverage of England's opening World Cup game vs Iran
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Pundits Micah Richards and Alan Shearer have heaped praise on England as they made a blistering start to the 2022 World Cup with a 6-2 win over Iran.
Goals from Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling fired the Three Lions into a 3-0 lead before half time, while Saka completed his brace just after the break. Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish rounded things off from the bench to make it six.
It was a dramatic start against a side ranked 20th in the world, and puts Gareth Southgate's side in a good position to qualify from their group.
England got their World Cup off to a fantastic start with a convincing win over Iran in Qatar
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards well full of praise for Gareth Southgate's side at half time
Richards felt everything had gone to plan in England's first 45 minutes in Qatar, as he said on the BBC's coverage of the game: 'We all thought it would be a back five, he went with a four.
'It allowed Bellingham to get forward, Saka, all the decisions have been brilliant. I'd like Foden to play but apart from that, brilliant.'
Shearer, who scored nine times in 13 tournament appearances for England, shared his sentiments, adding: 'It's really important to get off to a good start - it couldn't have started any better.
Gareth Southgate was praised for allowing his players to get forward by starting a back four
'Every single player has done their part, forget about form because you win this game and confidence becomes great and you become part of the tournament. It's superb for them.'
Iran did pull two goals back thanks to Mehdi Taremi, and there will be some concern for Harry Maguire after the centre back was forced off with an injury.
England are next in action on Friday when they face the USA, a team ranked slightly higher than Iran by FIFA, in the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday.
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